Why Was Ice Cube’s $15 Million Offer Rejected by Caitlin Clark? Rachel DeMita Unfolds the Truth on Big 3 League

The Big 3, Ice Cube, and Caitlin Clark have been the talk of the town for the last few weeks. While the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer has been dodging the deal the rapper made to her, she has finally declined the offer. However, ditching $15 million for just two seasons in the 3×3 league seemed too unrealistic, even to the 2x WNBA champ Kelsey Plum, who suggested the sensational hooper take the chance. Nevertheless, looks like Clark has her eyes set on bigger things.

But that does not mean that other popular faces like Rachel DeMita cannot analyze her decision. The former NBA 2k host explored the avenue on her podcast Courtside Club. She gave her perspective on why the first overall draft pick may have refused to go ahead with Ice Cube’s offer due to her commitment to the WNBA and her fans.

Suggesting that playing in the Big3 as a WNBA rookie may be a little overwhelming for her, DeMita said, “I feel like maybe at this point and time in her career, playing in the WNBA while simultaneously playing in another league with different rules and a different travel schedule. Maybe at this point in her career is just a little bit too much to handle.”

DeMita understood the fact that currently, Clark is being pushed and pulled in different directions. She will soon be walking into her rookie season in the WNBA, where there are many expectations hanging on her neck. These include the obvious ones that the people are counting on her for a fantastic rookie season. At the same time, she is also wearing the heavy crown of elevating the league and the associated women athletes. But what could have been if Clark did not forego the once-in-a-lifetime contract?

What would the numbers come to if Caitlin Clark had accepted the Big3 offer?

According to TMZ Sports, Clark was set to make over $15 million if she had joined hands with Ice Cube. This number would include $10 million from the 2 seasons. Additionally, she would have also enjoyed the perks like some part of team ownership, 50% of the merch revenue, and a stake in the league’s documentary. Furthermore, the Big3 would have transferred a 7-digit amount in advance on a nod. As a part of the deal, Nancy Liebermann, the 2x Hall of Famer, would have coached the athlete.

Clark recently broke the record to earn the Nancy Lieberman Award thrice in a row. This was special, as no one in its 93-year history had done this. To top this offer, Big3 would have still allowed Clark to pursue her WNBA career. The pro league only brings her $338,000 over the span of four years. Caitlin Clark will also have to play 40 games every season for just $76,535 a year. The Big3 offer certainly looks like a great deal for just 20 games that add up to $10 million.

Other than this, Clark’s recent Nike deal too, is less than what Big3 would be paying her. The deal with the sports athleisure giant will bring $28 million for 8 years. She will also get a signature shoe with Nike according to the contract. When it comes to annual checks, it drops down to just $3.5M per year.

Nevertheless, if the Indiana Fever’s transitional talent had accepted all these offers, she would be standing atop a rough sum of $45 million by the next 8 years. And this is solely speaking from these three offers.  While the entire Big3 league acquiesced with Clark’s decision despite the outcome, they do have some strong words for the “real” decision-makers.

Big3 is clearly not the right fit for Caitlin Clark this year. But she may give it a try next year once she cements her name in the WNBA. Maybe this is how the Big3 finally brings in more female hoopers, like Hailey Van Lith, who will join the WNBA next year, with an intent to play 3×3. While they do claim to add Clark for “driving the breakdown of further stereotypes and promoting diversity,” seems like the conversation has ended for Indy’s new star.